§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to repeal section 64 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; and if he will make a statement. [149111]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThere is no section 64 in this Act but the hon. Member may be referring to section 24 of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 which prevents the disclosure of information about the use of animals in scientific procedures that has been provided in confidence. Following the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, all statutory bars are being reviewed, including section 24.
I held a seminar with representatives of animal protection groups and the scientific community in September 2000 to discuss the review of section 24 and officials have subsequently held a series of separate meetings with some of the organisations that participated 500W in the seminar. I have also received views from the Animal Procedures Committee on this subject.
The Government have a clear commitment to Freedom of Information and are equally committed to the maintenance of the necessary protection for individual scientists and their research institutions from the actions of animal rights extremists. I am considering very carefully how these commitments can best be met. A decision on whether to repeal or amend section 24 will not be made until later this year.